Apple readying “media pad” and “iPhone lite” for launch soon?

Apple is preparing to launch not one, but two new devices according to a new …

Apple is preparing to launch not one, but two new devices with Verizon, according to yet another new rumor. Two "people familiar with the matter" speaking to BusinessWeek have leaked details about an alleged "iPhone lite" and a tablet-like device, one of which may launch as early as this summer (we assume to coincide with the release of iPhone OS 3.0).

These claims seem to support evidence of multiple new devices discovered in the latest iPhone OS 3.0 beta last month. At that time, we dug up product identifiers for yet-to-be-released iPod touch and iPhone models, plus two mystery products referred to as "iProd" and "iFPGA" respectively. iFPGA didn't conform to Apple's standard numbering scheme for the iPhone and iPod touch, and iProd had a product number of 0,1, indicating that it could be a prototype under development.

From BusinessWeek's sources, there are very few details offered on the smaller, cheaper iPhone, but the other device would be a "media pad that would let users listen to music, view photos, and watch high-definition videos." The media pad is supposedly smaller than Amazon's Kindle, but with a larger touchscreen. "The media pad category might go to Verizon," one of the sources is quoted saying. "We are talking about a device where people will say, 'Damn, why didn't we do this?' Apple is probably going to define the damn category."

The piece is actually a bit of a tease, as does not say which of these two products might launch this summer.

The talks with Verizon go back at least half a year, these sources claim, though a deal is not yet sealed. This both confirms and contradicts a rumor that came out just this morning about Apple being in talks with Verizon for a CDMA iPhone in 2010. It's possible that the "iPhone lite" is the CDMA iPhone, though the language in the piece indicates that Verizon fans should hold off on their celebrations until a deal is more solid.

What about AT&T? Everyone is already aware that AT&T has been looking to extend its exclusive iPhone relationship with Apple, which is set to expire soon. That may still be happening—after all, Apple COO Tim Cook said during Apple's recent quarterly earnings call that the company is "very happy" with its relationship with AT&T and doesn't have immediate plans to change that. Additionally, Apple's deal with AT&T may only involve the original and 3G iPhones, and not these newfangled devices. Of course, launching different devices with different carriers would make the situation complex for customers, and that's just not how Apple rolls.

Either way, let's just say that our curiosity is piqued, and we are now more sure than ever about those new product identifiers.